8 But you, O Israel, my servant,Jacob, whom I have chosen,offspring of Abraham my beloved friend,9 you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,called from its farthest limits—to you I say, You are my servant;I have accepted you and not rejected you.10 Be not fearful, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you; I will also succor youand uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 See, all who are enraged at youshall earn shame and disgrace;your adversaries shall come to nought, and perish.12 Should you look for those who contend with you,you shall not find them;whoever wars against youshall be reduced to nothing.13 For I, Jehovah your God,hold you by the right hand and say to you,Have no fear; I will help you.

14 Be not afraid, you worms of Jacob;O men of Israel, [be not dismayed]:bI am your help, says Jehovah;your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.15 I will make of you a sharp-toothed threshing sledgeof new design, full of spikes:you shall thresh mountains to dustand make chaff of hills.16 As you winnow them, a wind shall take them away,a tempest dispel them.Then will you rejoice in Jehovahand glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17 When the poor and needy require water,and there is none,and their tongue becomes parched with thirst,I Jehovah will answer their want;I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.18 I will open up streams in barren hill country,springs in the midst of the plains;I will turn the desert into lakes,parched lands into fountains of water.19 I will bring cedars and acacias,myrtles and oleasters in the wilderness;I will place cypresses,elms and box trees in the steppes—20 that all may see it and know, consider it,and perceive that Jehovah’s hand did this,that the Holy One of Israel created it.

21 Present your case, says Jehovah;submit your evidence, says the King of Jacob.22 Let them come forward and recount to ustheir prophecies of events heretofore.What were they? Tell us,that we may examine themand know whether they were fulfilled.Or predict the future for us:23 Tell us of events to come hereafter,so that we may know you are gods.Perform something good or evilat which we will be dazzled and all stand in awe.24 It is clear you are of no account,that your works camount to nothing;cwhoever accepts you is himself an abomination.

25 I have raised up one from the northwho calls on my name,who shall come from the direction of sunrise.He shall come upon dignitaries as on mud,tread them as clay like a potter.

26 Who announced this beforehand, so we would know,declared it ahead of time,that we might say, dHe was right?dIndeed, not one could foretell it,not one make it known;no one has heard from youany [prophetic]e utterance.27 But to Zion, he shall be its harbinger;fI will appoint him asa herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.

28 For when I looked there was no one,not one who could offer counsel,or when I questioned them,who could answer a word.29 Surely they are all iniquitous,their works worthless;their outpourings are but wind and emptiness.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

2

Who has raised up Righteousness from the east,calling him to the place of his foot?Who has delivered nations to him,

toppled their rulers,rendering them as dust to his sword,as driven stubble to his bow?

They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

6

to one another’s aid,saying, each to his fellow, Courage!

אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ יַעְזֹרוּ וּלְאָחִיו יֹאמַר חֲזָק ׃

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

26

Who announced this beforehand, so we would know,declared it ahead of time,that we might say, dHe was right?dIndeed, not one could foretell it,not one make it known;no one has heard from youany [prophetic]e utterance.

Apocalyptic Commentary

Jehovah’s righteous servant, who hails from the east, leads Jacob/Israel’s returnees in a new conquest.

1 Be silent before me, O isles;become still, you peoples!Let them come forward and state their case;let us stand trial together.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:1)

Opposition against Jehovah and his people finally causes Israel’s God to intervene in humanity’s affairs by calling the nations of the world to “trial” or “justice” (mispat). That situation arises because of the nations’ idolatry that blinds their minds and hardens their hearts against the truth, to which condition even Jehovah’s people have succumbed (Isaiah 42:17-20; 44:9-21; 46:3-8). Jehovah intervenes by raising up his servant, who appears in Part III of Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure (Isaiah 9-12; 41-46) under different personas that express different ministering roles he fulfills, temporal and spiritual.

2 Who has raised up Righteousness from the east,calling him to the place of his foot?Who has delivered nations to him,

toppled their rulers,rendering them as dust to his sword,as driven stubble to his bow?3 He puts them to flight, passing on unhinderedby paths his feet have never trod.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:2–3)

Continuous with Jehovah’s re-creation of persons who attain Isaiah’s seraphs level—who “ascend as on eagles’ wings” (Isaiah 40:31)—appears Jehovah’s end-time servant. The servant’s attaining the seraph level (cf. Isaiah 14:29; 51:9-10; 63:9) thus forms a high point of Jehovah’s narrowing creations as outlined in chapter 40. Personifying righteousness because he keeps Jehovah’s law and word under all conditions, he serves as an exemplar of righteousness in a time of wickedness and self-righteousness, showing how all may ascend to the seraph level in accordance with Jehovah’s “plan” (Isaiah 40:13).

One persona under which the servant appears is that of a Righteous Warrior—Jehovah’s sword and bow. In that respect, he emulates Jehovah, who also appears as a Righteous Warrior: “Jehovah will come forth like a warrior, his passions aroused like a fighter; he will give the war cry, raise the shout of victory over his enemies (Isaiah 42:13). When Jehovah empowers him, the servant reduces the enemies of his people to “dust” and “stubble”—to chaos, or nonentities—as he reconquers the world from the Assyrian power when its work of punishing the wicked is done (vv 11-16; Isaiah 9:4; 10:24-27).

Jehovah’s “raising up” his servant “from the east” and calling him “to his foot”—to the Promised Land—possesses word links to his “raising up” the servant in verse 25 and to his “raising up” the servant under his Cyrus persona (Isaiah 45:13). It also synonymously parallels Jehovah’s calling his servant from the east within a chiastic structure of alternating chaos and creation motifs that spans chapters 41-46: “I summon a bird of prey from the east, from a distant land the man who performs my counsel” (Isaiah 46:11). Each of these depictions nuances the different tasks the servant performs.

He puts them to flight, passing on unhindered by paths his feet have never trod. When reconquering the earth from the Assyrian alliance, Jehovah’s servant and his seraph-associates exercise extraordinary divine powers over Jehovah’s enemies: “He will smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips slay the wicked. Righteousness will be as a band about his waist” (Isaiah 11:4; emphasis added); “Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man; a sword not of mortals shall devour them: before that sword they shall waste away and their young men melt” (Isaiah 31:8; emphasis added).

4 Who is at work accomplishing this,foreordaining dynasties?I, Jehovah, first and last, am he.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:4)

The God who commenced the work of his creation—of the heavens and the earth, the nations of the world, and his people Israel—also sees it through to the finish: “I was at the first and I am at the last” (Isaiah 44:6); “I am he who was at the first, and I am he who is at the last” (Isaiah 48:12). The “last” or end consists of Jehovah’s appointing everlasting “dynasties” to those holy and valiant ones who ascend to the category of seraphs: “‘As the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall endure before me,’ says Jehovah, ‘so shall your offspring and name endure’” (Isaiah 66:22; cf. 59:21; 61:9).

5 The isles look on in fear;the ends of the earth are in trembling.They flock togetheraand come 6 to one another’s aid, saying, each to his fellow, Courage!

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:5–6)

When Jehovah acts on behalf of his people, the world trembles in fear. So did the Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and every other nation against whom Jehovah empowered his servants. Relying on each other—on an arm of flesh instead of on Jehovah (cf. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8)—idolaters, including those of Jehovah’s people, repudiate his help: “Who would fashion a god or cast an idol that cannot benefit them? Their whole society is confused; their fabricators are mere mortals. Were they all to assemble and take their stand [before me], they would at once cringe in fear” (Isaiah 44:10-11; cf. 45:20-21).

8 But you, O Israel, my servant,Jacob, whom I have chosen,offspring of Abraham my beloved friend,9 you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,called from its farthest limits—to you I say, You are my servant;I have accepted you and not rejected you.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:8–9)

Jehovah calls on the Jacob/Israel category of his people to repent and return from exile. Like Abraham, their progenitor, who left kindreds and friends behind and came from the end of the earth to the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1), they are now summoned to leave kindreds and friends and renew their covenant with Jehovah and become his collective “servant” or vassal. Jehovah assures them that although they may have felt abandoned by him on account of their idolatries (Isaiah 40:27; 43:22-24), as they return to him he will again accept them as his covenant people (Isaiah 43:1-7; 49:10-16).

The mention of a person by name—as with “Abraham my beloved friend”—alludes to a precedent that person set. Abraham’s coming from afar to the Promised Land, for example, became a type of his descendants’ doing so. If his people now pass this test of their faith as Abraham did, Jehovah will bless them as he blessed him. The alternative is to be destroyed in a Sodom-and-Gomorrah type of destruction (Isaiah 42:23-25). To be “beloved” of God, moreover, identifies the seraph category of Jehovah’s people that includes his servant (Isaiah 48:14), who also comes from afar (vv 2, 25; 46:11).

10 Be not fearful, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you; I will also succor youand uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 See, all who are enraged at youshall earn shame and disgrace;your adversaries shall come to nought, and perish.12 Should you look for those who contend with you,you shall not find them;whoever wars against youshall be reduced to nothing.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:10–12)

The temptation to be “fearful” and “dismayed” comes with being a part of Jehovah’s covenant people, whose enemies inevitably become “enraged” at them under one pretext or another and finally even “contend” and “war” against them. When things reach that point, however—when Jehovah has sufficiently proven his people’s faithfulness—he intervenes on their behalf and reduces their enemies to “nothing.” That sequence of events forms the classic pattern of deliverance and destruction that underlies Jehovah’s dealings with his people and their enemies, who are also his enemies (Isaiah 43:14-17; 49:22-26).

Jehovah’s promise to be “with” his people harks back to the name Immanuel (“God Is with Us”) and the fulfillment of that name in Jehovah’s deliverance of King Hezekiah’s people at the time Assyria invades Judea (Isaiah 7:14-17; 8:7-10; 36:1-38:6). Jehovah’s end-time servant follows the pattern of King Hezekiah in serving as his people’s proxy savior under the terms of the Davidic Covenant. As Jehovah empowers his servant, so the servant empowers Jehovah’s people. The terms “my righteous right hand” (yemin sidqi) also translate as “righteousness, my right hand”—signifying Jehovah’s servant (v 2).

Jehovah is “with” his elect at their new exodus to Zion: “When you cross the waters, I will be with you; [when you traverse] the rivers, you shall not be overwhelmed. Though you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; its flame shall not consume you. . . . Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give up!’ to the south, ‘Withhold not!’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth—all who are called by my name, whom I have formed, molded and wrought for my own glory” (Isaiah 43:2, 5-7).

13 For I, Jehovah your God,hold you by the right hand and say to you,Have no fear; I will help you.

14 Be not afraid, you worms of Jacob;O men of Israel, [be not dismayed]:bI am your help, says Jehovah;your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:13–14)

The possessive “your God” (vv 10, 13) expresses the covenant relationship Jehovah offers the Jacob/Israel category of his people so long as they rely on him to help them. Jehovah’s dual promise to uphold and sustain them by the right hand—his servant (ibid.)—reflects the exigency of the situation as they now face either deliverance or destruction. Just as a butterfly is first a “worm,” and just as “men” aren’t gods, so when they acknowledge their nothingness before God and trust in him to empower them, he can redeem them from evils he alone is capable of redeeming them from (Isaiah 43:1; 44:21-23; 48:20-21).

15 I will make of you a sharp-toothed threshing sledgeof new design, full of spikes:you shall thresh mountains to dustand make chaff of hills.16 As you winnow them, a wind shall take them away,a tempest dispel them.Then will you rejoice in Jehovahand glory in the Holy One of Israel.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

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(41:15–16)

When held by Jehovah’s right hand (vv. 10, 13) the Jacob/Israel category of his people conquers its enemies just as Israel did under Moses, Joshua, and King David. They reduce “mountains” and “hills”—the nations (Isaiah 13:4; 64:1-3)—to chaos. Micah concurs: “The breaker has risen before them. They have broken through and passed through the gate and gone out by it. Their king will pass before them and Jehovah at their head” (Micah 2:13); “Arise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron and your hooves brass, and you will beat in pieces many peoples” (Micah 4:13).

At their great victory, Jehovah’s people who return from exile have cause to “rejoice” in their God and give him the “glory”: “You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice at your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, or as men are joyous when they divide spoil. For you have smashed the yoke that burdened them, the staff of submission, the rod of those who subjected them, as in the Day of Midian” (Isaiah 9:3-4). In the present instance, wind and tempest imagery—signifying Jehovah’s Day of Judgment—denotes Jehovah’s servant whom Jehovah empowers (Isaiah 11:15; 17:13).

17 When the poor and needy require water,and there is none,and their tongue becomes parched with thirst,I Jehovah will answer their want;I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

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A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

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(41:17)

The theme of a new wandering in the wilderness (vv 17-20) combines with that of a new conquest (vv 11-16) when Jehovah’s people return from exile (vv 8-10). Under those circumstances, sources of water become an important consideration and another test—as when Moses led Israel through the wilderness following its exodus out of Egypt and the people came to a place with no water : “The people thirsted there for water. And the people murmured against Moses and said, ‘Why is it that you have brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?’” (Exodus 17:3).

Jehovah’s answer was to demonstrate his power through his servant Moses: “‘Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb. And you will smite the rock and there shall come forth water out of it that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:6). Those who participate in the end-time wandering in the wilderness are the “poor and needy,” not the rich who don’t care for them (Isaiah 3:14-15; 10:2; 58:6-7). The tongue metaphor alludes to Jehovah’s servant who, like Moses, leads their wilderness journey (Isaiah 40:11; 43:19-20; 49:9-12).

18 I will open up streams in barren hill country,springs in the midst of the plains;I will turn the desert into lakes,parched lands into fountains of water.19 I will bring cedars and acacias,myrtles and oleasters in the wilderness;I will place cypresses,elms and box trees in the steppes—20 that all may see it and know, consider it,and perceive that Jehovah’s hand did this,that the Holy One of Israel created it.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

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(41:18–20)

When some of the Jacob/Israel category renew the covenant with Jehovah and prove loyal under all conditions, they experience regeneration and a reversal of circumstances. Fear turns to fortitude, weakness into strength, curses into blessings. Although Jehovah’s servant—his hand or right hand (vv 10, 13, 20)—helps qualify his people for this, Jehovah alone, the “creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28), “creates” it. What Jehovah’s hand does in the present context, however, is lead his people’s victory over their enemies (vv 2-3, 11-16) in a classic division of labors between hand and Holy One.

21 Present your case, says Jehovah;submit your evidence, says the King of Jacob.22 Let them come forward and recount to ustheir prophecies of events heretofore.What were they? Tell us,that we may examine themand know whether they were fulfilled.Or predict the future for us:

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

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(41:21–22)

Jehovah raises up his servant in response to his people’s prophets and seers who fail to prophesy or see (vv 25-29; Isaiah 9:15-16; 21:6; 28:7, 16; 29:10; 56:10-12). What legitimizes a prophet in Jehovah’s eyes is that he predicts things that come to pass: “If there is a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known to him in a vision and speak to him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6); “When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing doesn’t follow or come to pass Jehovah hasn’t said it, but the prophet has said it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:22).

Unlike the ecclesiastical leaders who profess to be prophets but aren’t, whom Jehovah now puts on trial, his servant predicts things that come to pass: “All of you, assemble and hear: Who among you foretold these things? It is him Jehovah loves, who shall perform his will in Babylon; his arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I myself have spoken it, and also called him; I have brought him, and I will prosper his way. Come near me and hear this: I have not made predictions in secret; at their coming to pass, I have been present. Now my Lord Jehovah has sent me; his Spirit [is in me]” (Isaiah 48:14-16).

22 Let them come forward and recount to ustheir prophecies of events heretofore.What were they? Tell us,that we may examine themand know whether they were fulfilled.Or predict the future for us:23 Tell us of events to come hereafter,so that we may know you are gods.Perform something good or evilat which we will be dazzled and all stand in awe.24 It is clear you are of no account,that your works camount to nothing;cwhoever accepts you is himself an abomination.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:22–24)

Jehovah’s formal trial of the non-prophets (vv 21-22) gives way to informal satire as he ridicules them for their false pretenses, knowing they can’t actually prophesy. Whereas his people stand in awe of them, in reality they are “of no account” and their works amount to “nothing.” That recurring chaos motif in chapters 40-46 puts these prophets in the same category as idolaters and enemies who perish in Jehovah’s Day of Judgment (Isaiah 40:17-24; 41:2-7, 11; 42:17-25; 44:9, 20). To Jehovah, they and all who accept them are an “abomination” (to‘eba)—a term that defines an idol (Isaiah 44:19).

25 I have raised up one from the northwho calls on my name,who shall come from the direction of sunrise.He shall come upon dignitaries as on mud,tread them as clay like a potter.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

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(41:25)

Jehovah’s “raising up” (ha‘iroti) his servant in this verse synonymously parallels his “raising up” (ha‘irotihu) his servant under his Cyrus persona within the chiastic pattern of alternating chaos and creation motifs that spans chapters 41-46: “‘It is I who rightfully raise him up, who facilitate his every step; he will rebuild my city and set free my exiles without price or bribe,’ says Jehovah of Hosts” (Isaiah 45:13). Although the different roles the servant assumes before and after Jehovah empowers him compel Isaiah to depict him under different personas, his attributes identify him as a creative force.

26 Who announced this beforehand, so we would know,declared it ahead of time,that we might say, dHe was right?dIndeed, not one could foretell it,not one make it known;no one has heard from youany [prophetic]e utterance.27 But to Zion, he shall be its harbinger;fI will appoint him asa herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:26–27)

Jehovah questions the non-prophets about why they haven’t predicted the servant’s coming so that his people might anticipate it. A pun on the word “right” (saddiq) answers his question: his servant, the “righteous one” (saddiq) (v 2), predicts the future, thus distinguishing him from them (vv 21-24). Jehovah’s “appointing” (ntn) his servant forms a word link to his “appointing” (ntn) his servant throughout the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6; 22:21; 42:6; 49:6, 8; 55:4). His people who receive him as a “herald of good tidings” are the Zion/Jerusalem category (Isaiah 52:7)—those of Jacob/Israel who repent and return.

28 For when I looked there was no one,not one who could offer counsel,or when I questioned them,who could answer a word.29 Surely they are all iniquitous,their works worthless;their outpourings are but wind and emptiness.

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and whom Jehovah empowers to subdue the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the sword Jehovah empowers against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies the bow Jehovah uses against the Assyrian alliance when it has served his purpose of punishing evildoers in his Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives to return in a new exodus to lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who and empowers Jehovah's exiles to vanquish their enemies who come against them in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those who vanquish the forces of chaos as they reconquer the earth for Jehovah from the power of the king of Assyria/Babylon and his alliance.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant and those whom Jehovah empowers to speak in his name, who participate in a new wandering in the wilderness to Zion in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who empowers Jehovah's captives against their enemies and assigns them lands of inheritance in Jehovah's Day of Judgment.

blue

(41:28–29)

Jehovah’s “looking” to determine his people’s spiritual state and to question their ecclesiastical guides denotes an intentional act when events come to a head (Genesis 6:5; 11:5; Isaiah 59:15). Unlike his people’s iniquitous leaders—whose works are “worthless” or nothing, who pour out “wind and emptiness” or chaos, not one of whom offers true “counsel” but who instead follow their own counsel or schemes (Isaiah 28:15; 29:15; 32:6-7)—Jehovah’s servant is a wonderful counselor, possesses the spirit of counsel, and is the man who performs or is privy to Jehovah’s counsel (Isaiah 9:6; 11:2; 46:11).

a5 So 1QIsaa; term not in MT.

b14 A reconstruction based on meter and parallelism; compare verse 10.

c24 Hebrew ᵓ&amacr;paᶜ (unknown) emended to ᵓ&amacr;pes.

d26 Literally, The righteous one, a pun on the subject of verses 2, 25.